Darien holds on for dramatic win over New Canaan

Jon Chik

Updated 9:11 pm, Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Darien center Alexander Gunn celebrates a Darien score that put them on top in the annual Turkey Bowl at New Canaan High School on Thursday afternoon. Darien won the see saw battle, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate

Darien QB Silas Wyper uncorks a pass during fourth quarter Turkey Bowl action against New Canaan on Thursday. Darien, led by Wyper's running and passing plays, won the game, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien QB Silas Wyper uncorks a pass during fourth quarter Turkey...

The Darien crowd had a lot to cheer about on Thursday as the Darien High School football team edged unbeaten New Canaan, 28-24, at the annual Turkey Bowl in New Canaan on Thursday. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

The Darien crowd had a lot to cheer about on Thursday as the Darien...

Frank Cognetta scoots around left end for a short gain at the annual Turkey Bowl game against Darien on Thanksgiving. Cognetta and his team ran out of steam in losing, 28-24. J. Grregory RAymond for The Advocate

Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Frank Cognetta scoots around left end for a short gain at the...

Darien wideout William Hamernick loses his helmet as he is tackeled by New Canaan's Cole Harriss in the annual Turkey Bowl game on Thanksgiving. Darien won the game, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien wideout William Hamernick loses his helmet as he is tackeled...

New Canaan wideout Kyle Smith is tackled by Bobby Trifone of Darien during first half action at Dunning Stadium in New Canaan. Darien won the see saw battle, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

New Canaan wideout Kyle Smith is tackled by Bobby Trifone of Darien...

New Canaan's Michael Hamernick uses a sledge hammer to make his stance known prior to kickoff at the annual Turkey Bowl game in New Canaan on Thursday. Darien won the game for the second straight year, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

New Canaan's Michael Hamernick uses a sledge hammer to make his...

New Canaan's Zachary Allen is about to swipe the football away from Darien's Silas Wyper for a score against Darien in the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl in New Canaan on Thursday. Darien came out on top, 28-24. J. Gregory Raymond for The Advocate

Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

New Canaan's Zachary Allen is about to swipe the football away from...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien #25 John Reed. Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien #25 John Reed. Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

Darien #20 Jay Harrison - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien #20 Jay Harrison - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

New Canaan crowd - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

New Canaan crowd - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

Darien High School #12 Silas Wyper vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School #12 Silas Wyper vs New Canaan HS in the annual...

NC #15 Nick Cascione - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.

Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

NC #15 Nick Cascione - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.

Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

NC #3 - Jack Gilio - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

NC #3 - Jack Gilio - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day...

NC #4 Frank Cognetta - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

NC #4 Frank Cognetta - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

DHS Players check their play sheets - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

DHS Players check their play sheets - Darien High School vs New...

DHS #76 John Griffiths
Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

DHS #76 John Griffiths
Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the...

DHS head coach - Rob Trifone - Darien High School vs New Canaan HS in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl football game in New Canaan, Conn. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Darien came out on top, 28-24.
Photo: J. Gregory Raymond

NEW CANAAN -- After enduring several tsunami-like momentum changes, the Darien football team stood just 1.5 seconds away from claiming its second consecutive victory over New Canaan, this time at Dunning stadium in the 20th annual Turkey Bowl between the schools.

Needing a touchdown to win on Darien's eight-yard line, New Canaan quarterback Nick Cascione took the snap in the shotgun and threw quickly to his right in the direction of receiver Cole Turpin. Griffin Ross broke hard on the ball, timing it nearly perfectly to break up the attempt and seal his team's 28-24 win.

"I knew they were going to run that play," Ross said. "I've watched it a thousand times before. I knew they loved to go to that play by the goal line so I was anticipating it."

Prior to Darien's defensive stand, its offense embarked on a 17-play, 66-yard drive, scoring with just 58 seconds remaining to claim its final lead of the day. Key plays included a 6-yard third down conversion from Silas Wyper to John Reed, a 12-yard third down conversion to Ross, a roughing the passer penalty by New Canaan on fourth down that kept the drive alive, and an 11-yard sideline pass to Nick Lombardo on third-and-10 that moved the ball from the 15 to the 4.

"A field goal would have tied it, but we didn't want it to go to OT," Reed said. "We wanted to end it right there and New Canaan has a great team, but we just came out on top."

Three plays later, Darien's Jay Harrison dove across the goal line running off right guard.

"Too many penalties in crucial situations, but credit to them. They came in and took it to us," New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli said. "We couldn't move the ball on the ground, and they did a tremendous job. Credit to Rob and his coaching staff."

The Blue Wave managed to hold a 21-17 lead entering the fourth quarter, but on the first play of the final frame, New Canaan's Zach Allen took the ball out of Silas Wyper's hand and went 33 yards for the touchdown, putting New Canaan on top 24-21.

"I went back to throw and the guy just kind of snatched the ball out of my hand and returned it," said Wyper, MVP of the game along with New Canaan's Michael Root. "That was not ideal, but these guys are incredible and the perseverance on this team is great."

"He's going to be a great player. He's only a junior and he does a lot of great things," Marinelli said. "We've grown accustomed to seeing him do things like that."

Just as it did against St. Joseph in its FCIAC championship win on Friday, New Canaan scored on its first play from scrimmage, this time on an 80-yard bomb from Cascione to Alex LaPolice who caught the ball in stride between the hash marks and went untouched for the score.

Darien knotted it up at 7-7 on a one-yard touchdown run by Wyper with 6:20 left in the second quarter, which was set up by a 28-yard completion to Lombardo down to the 1.

The Blue Wave looked to be in position to take a lead into the locker rooms, but a 33-yard field goal attempt was wide left, and Cascione marched his team quickly down field, highlighted by a 23-yard completion to Turpin and capped by a 3-yard Cascione touchdown run up the middle on third-and-goal to give the Rams a 14-7 halftime lead.

Darien needed just two minutes of the second half to tie the game at 14-14, thanks in large part to a 62-yard Wyper-to-Reed connection that set up another Wyper 1-yard score.

New Canaan went three-and-out on its next possession, but its punt was blocked by Mark Evanchick, giving Darien the ball on the New Canaan 15. Three plays later, Wyper scored his third one-yard touchdown on the day for the 21-14 lead.

New Canaan was forced to punt on its next possession, but the ball hit a Darien player and was recovered by New Canaan's Cole Harris at the Darien 12, leading to a 32-yard field goal and setting the stage for a wild fourth quarter.

"We've been doing it all year long, and especially in the last two weeks," Darien coach Rob Trifone said. "We talked about it yesterday in the team meeting what fight they have in them, and today you saw that same fight. They don't care what happens to them; they just play the next play."